Willravel

"Introducing Mac mini. Everything you need to enjoy digital photos, music, and movies, and not an ounce more. Get a fast G4 processor, slot-loading CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive and a reliable operation system in a body just 6.5" square and 2" tall. Starting at just $499."

A Mac for $499?! How can this be?! Welcome to the newest incarnation of Mac. Introduced at MacWorld in San Francisco (you must go if you've never been, it's a blast), this is the answer to the question "Why can't Mac make a cheaper computer?" This is a complete computer, OS 10.3 "Panther" and all the usual great apps (iLife ‘05 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD and GarageBand), AppleWorks, Quicken 2005 for Mac, Nanosaur 2, Marble Blast Gold and Apple Hardware Test) put into a system boasting a 1.25 or 1.42GHz PowerPC G4 processor, 256MB RAM (don't worry, it goes up to 1GB), the ATI Radeon 9200 with 32MB SDRAM, a 40 or 80GB Ultra ATA hard drive, combo or superdrive, possible airport and bluetooth, and in a package measuring 6.5" X 6.5" X 2".



The design, as usual for Mac, is brilliant. No tower, just a little gray and white box with the apple on it. This is a machine you don't really mind putting on your desk (after all it's called a "desktop", not a "deskside"). It also is quiet as a whisper, so you don't have to hide it away.

This is the death of the excuse "they are too expensive". This is $499 now, and can probably be found for even cheaper soon on ebay.

cyrnel

Good to see. They've needed an entry level box for a long time. First model I've considered in several years.

Looks to be essentially a headless iBook G4? Did any 3pv have them on display? Benchmarks? I'm curious how they perform vs. other G4 models.

Rudel73

well im pretty sure the thing wasnt designed for gaming or such like so im not expecting too great of benchmarks and stuff but dang that thing looks cool maybe i should get one for college

bodypainter

Check this - that computer will fit in a standard DIN hole in a car dash. If it had a faceplate you could have the coolest car stereo ever.

Rawb

I am tempted.

I've played with a mac at work for a few weeks, I really liked OS X. Compiling my own stuff on it was pretty funky, but that's alright, I'm sure I could figure it out for real after a while.

But this is great, a nice, entry-level Mac, and it's DVI... neeeeaaaat.

But, those images don't look real at all, they just look like computer made mockups, is this going to ship any time this quarter?

cyrnel

Yep, miniMac as a CarPC crossed my mind too. one of the nice drive-bay controls would work for mp3 duty. This one is minimalist but you get the idea:

<img src="http://www.crazypc.com/images/cases/caseaccessories/lcd/mx213full.jpg">

Rawb, they're supposed to ship this month. Complications can arise but most big manufacturers have learned wallstreet doesn't like lots of lead-time from announcement to delivery. Standard procedure is to announce after inventory buildup has begun. I'm crossing fingers MacWorld fever didn't corrupt.

punx1325

A smart move for Apple. I really like the design and simplicity of the MiniMac. It will give companies like eMachines a run for their money. They will have to improve the quality of their computers if they want to compete with Apple.

__________________
If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is....

martinguerre

nice...i'm glad they're pushing down the price. plus...its tiny. like a baby...

__________________
For God so loved creation, that God sent God's only Son that whosoever believed should not perish, but have everlasting life.

-John 3:16

jonjon42

awesome looking thing....I'm just waiting for the inevitable powerbook g5....love the feel of the g4 but it seems a little dated...

this is definetly a dorm room box....

__________________
A damn dirty hippie without the dirty part....

twister002

The Apple store here in Seattle said Jan 22nd. The online store says "deliver by Jan 22nd." Steve Jobs held one up on stage. It's wayyy beyond mockups. I think everything Jobs announced at Macworld, with the exception of the Tiger related technologies, is shipping right now.

Maybe that could be the new motto? "Design so clean you'll think a computer did it."

Willravel

It basically has the exact same specs as my comp. 1Gb RAM, 80GB HD, ATI 9200 graphics card, good drive. I can play Unreal 2004 at it's highest settings (largest resolution, details, etc.) on my comp with no problem. WoW runs smoothly, too. I say anything made for Mac OS can be run on this comp.

BTW, thos pics may or may not be mockups, but we all know Apple computers look really stylish. They'll certinally look that good.

bundy

i went to the MacWorld event in Sydney today (started a few hours after Steves keynote in SanFran), so i got to play with the new Mini Mac and the Ipod Shuffle... both outstanding... they're both TINY, and the price is significant.

those pics of Mini Mac are not mock-ups. thats the real deal.
the only problem (and i'm being really picky here) is that they only come with Combo drives.

but what i'm most excited from the keynote is OSX Tiger.

__________________
Ohayo!!!

skaven

That thing is gorgeous. The price point is low enough that I might actually be able to afford one in the near future, so I can find out what all you mac-heads are cheering about (never used OSX first-hand)

cyrnel

http://store.apple.com says both models can be upgraded to the SuperDrive. Not a cheap option at $100. Could make more sense to get the combo and burn dvd's elsewhere.

I'm such a sucker. Two days ago these things were just rumors and I hadn't bought a new Mac in 6yrs. Now I'm sacrificing PC project moneys for a cute brick. I should get extremely drunk and hide the credit cards.

irseg

Like hell it is! It would have been a good deal with those specs 3 years ago. The base model of that thing is ridiculously overpriced as it is. Upgrade to a 1.42ghz with an 80gb drive and 1gb RAM so it's somewhat in line with a modern budget PC and throw in a keyboard/mouse, and you're at $1082. WITHOUT a monitor.

maleeek

You don't already have a keyboard, mouse, and monitor?

connyosis

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/images/iProduct.gif
That's all I'm saying. And relax, it's a joke...

__________________
If atheism is a religion, then not collecting stamps is a hobby.

flightlessbird

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/images/AppleHaters.gif

I think 1.25 will be more than enough for what most people will be doing with this machine. And everyone who is complaining about it not coming with a monitor and keyboard seems to forget about the imac and emac models.

connyosis

I've never been a mac user, but this would be nice to have in the living room. Connect it to the stereo and projector and you'll have a nice little home cinema.

__________________
If atheism is a religion, then not collecting stamps is a hobby.

Willravel

I'll field this one. A modern budget PC does not have a decent video card. A modern budget PC does not have a gig of RAM. A modern budget PC NEVER looks good, as they save money my not hiring a design crew of world renound skill. You can't play Unreal 2004 smoothly on a budget PC. A modern budget PC will probably crash pretty often. A modern budget PC's processor (let's say Intel Pentium 4 Processor with 2.80GHz, 533 FSB) can't keep up with a 1.25GHz PowerPC G4. A modern budget PC's operating system, XP Home Edition, can't keep up with OS 10.3. A modern budget PC is lucky to have CD-RW (See Dell site, the least expensive CD-RW machine is $679). The modern budget PC has a tower that's over 18" tall and that's loud when it's thinking.

Base Mac mini + keyboard/mouse + decent monitor = $700

Willravel

Then of course there is the iPod Shuffle.

Aparently, life is random. As official soundtrack to the random revolution, the iPod Shuffle Songs setting takes you on a unique journey through your music collection — you never know what’s around the next tune. Meet your new ride. More roadster than Rolls, iPod shuffle rejects routine by serving up your favorite songs in a different order every time. Just plug iPod shuffle into your computer’s USB port, let iTunes Autofill it with up to 240 songs and get a new experience with every connection.

Storage: 512MB or 1GB (120 or 240 songs)
Battery life: Up to 12 hours
Charge Time: About 4 hours
Skip protection: skip free playback
Port(s): USB 1.1 and 2.0
Size: 3.3" X 0.98" X 0.33"
Weight: .78 oz.

martinguerre

to add to wil...who doesn't have a monitor yet? i've had the same one for 4 systems now...i think i first had this one connected to a performa 650, if that means anything to you. if it doesn't...think OLD.

but yeah...i wish they'd launched Tiger. i've been waiting for that for a while. i'm still running Jag until Tiger releases, and the lack of updated JavaScript is making me frustrated.

__________________
For God so loved creation, that God sent God's only Son that whosoever believed should not perish, but have everlasting life.

-John 3:16

sixate

Hell, I still wouldn't even consider buying this. I don't want a computer unless I can build it to be exactly what I want it to be. Apple will never be able to do that. Not to mention If I actually knew a guy that would buy something that cute I'd laugh in his face and question his sexuality.

pinoychink790

this computer doesn't look that bad. i remember when i used to have a really cheap computer about 5 years ago. it had a 400 mhz processor, 64 mb of pc100 sdram, and a 2 mb video card. it was pretty pathetic, and the new mac can easily outrun the pc i had 5 years ago.

Willravel

I'm confused. Are you going to laugh in my face and question my sexuality?

Obviously, style isn't for everyone. Some guys will always wear socks under their sandals, and wear black shoes and a brown belt. That's okay for you. If you want to live that way, no one will stop you. Don't ruin our party, though.

BTW, I'm straight, but if I were gay, would that be so bad? It sounds like you have a very highschool stand on sexuality. Are you under 18?

sixate

I have already answered your first question...

I turn 28 Saturday. I can have any opinion I want on sexuality. I don't need to change my opinion just because you don't like it.

Willravel

We know you hate Macs, sixate. I've read your posts about iTunes and such, and we get it. Calling someone gay isn't an opinion, btw. You questioned my sexuality, and I told you that your "opinion" was wrong. An opinion can't be wrong, and your statement is actually an accusation via innuendo. I hope you understand the difference between the two.

Remember in the rules for Tilted where it says "No baiting (trolling) - Posting comments with the intention to draw the ire of your fellow board members is just as bad as insulting them directly"? What about "If you do not like a post for it's content or it's author, it's best to hit the back button on your browser rather than giving your heated two cents"? Just a reminder. :Thumbsup:

BoCo

I agree with everything Sixate said. The biggest reason I'll never buy a Mac isbecause I can't build them or mod them to suit my own tastes, not to mention I just really don't like the user interface. The iPod Shuffle is only cool because of its size and cost, but I don't like the lack of a display, nor is the 'shuffle' gimmick a selling point to me. And, yes, all Apple's white, cutsie-looking boxes are way too fem.

__________________
Activism is a way for useless people to feel important.

sixate

First, I'm not trying to bait a comment/response out of anyone. If I was trying to do that you'd really know it. I love how when someone doesn't like an opinion it's automatically a troll.

And if you were actually following this rule you would just ignore me and not comment about anything that I ever say. Right? So lets hit the back button on your browser after reading this because you obviously don't like what I have to say..... Just a reminder.

cyrnel

Religion takes all forms.

I haven't been in the Mac world for a few years but I'm enthused about the MiniMac form factor. I've built car and humidor PC's and know it's tough to get down the size of this thing. They're usually based on some ill-performing embedded platform. Look at the VIA boards. 1GHz of slowness with shabby video out & buggy drivers they never get around to finishing. A 1.4GHz PPC runs full OS X with fully developed drivers, rings around a 2GHz PC, and all in a 2" tall 6.5" square. My wish would be to remove the DVD & shorten it another 2/3".

Assuming it runs headless this thing would make a great little colo server.

PulpMind

Arguments about Apple's inability to create a build-to-suit machine: arguably valid.
Arguments about Macintosh computers looking "fem": invalid.
There is nothing "femenine" or "homosexual" about a clean cut all white machine. If you don't like white, fine, that's one thing. I wish iBooks came in black. and iPod minis weren't all pastel. But don't forget that white is probably the color of your geek ass, and that doesn't have homosexual tendencies... does it?

Mephisto2

I'm a PC kind of guy. Indeed, I just spent over a $1000 building a new one.

Yet I think this looks nice. I would even consider buying one.

My wife will be surprised to hear I'm gay.


Mr Mephisto

cyrnel

Marriage of convenience,eh? *

*Convenient to buy when it can be disguised as a gift.

THGL

This computer isn't aimed towards anyone (straight or gay) who likes to build their own PC. It also isn't a "gaming" PC so a 1.25 or 1.42Ghz G4 and 32 meg of vram is ample. If you don't like it white, then paint it (check out applefritter.com for how-to's).

McFrosticles

Microsoft may have the customers...

but Apple sure does come out with some nifty things. That little desktop PC is pretty interesting. I won't be getting one, but I sure as hell will be getting that Ipod.

__________________
Good Grief

tellumFS

I like it. It's small, and apparently quiet. OSX is slick looking as well. I think my complaint would be the one memory slot, and the case may need some playing with to crack open. The two USB ports was a mistake - plug in a keyboard to one, a mouse to the other and...uh oh. Where does the camera go? But a wireless keyboard/mouse combo set would solve that (as would Bluetooth, as that's a BTO option.)

Other than that, it'd make a good living room box. Seeing as my fiancee wants an Apple, this will work...it's not like she does anything real intensive with her PC, and it'll work nice with her iPod and digicam seeing as it has iLife preinstalled.

Willravel

Well, it can handle up to a gig of RAM. I'd also like to see it handle 2 gigs, but to be honest it isn't meant to perform the way Mac's better machines perform. It is perfect for watching vids, listening to music, and the internet.
Also, Mac keyboards have 2 USB slots on it, so you can plug your mouse into the keyboard. The bluetooth would be preferable, though.

connyosis

Well, being a control freak I don't like the fact that you cannot fiddle around in a Mac the same way you can with a PC. That doesn't mean I think Macs are inferior to PCs, it just seems like you have less control over your computer with a Mac.

The ipod shuffle seems...well...stupid. Seriously, how much crack was the Apple designers smoking when they figured that one out? I like screens on my mp3 players thank you very much, and I suppose ipod still doesn't support ogg-files?

/me cuddles his Rio Karma :-)

__________________
If atheism is a religion, then not collecting stamps is a hobby.

Willravel

How long will it be before Sony, HP, Dell and every other PC tries to make a clone of the Mac mini? I'm taking bets...

Mephisto2

I think it's a great idea. It's a small, cheap, nice looking MP3 player. You drag 'n' drop your playlists on to it and off you go. You either play the songs in order, or you play them in random.

Sounds perfectly normal to me.


Mr Mephisto